Nancy Swallow
02-21-2017, 02:00 PM
Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art is seeking a full-time Chief Preparator!
The Chief Preparator is responsible for all technical aspects of museum-standard art handling related to installation, de-installation, display, and storage of art objects under the direction of Director of Exhibitions/Associate Curator and input from the Collections Manager/Registrar. The individual is a team member for exhibitions and collection projects, assisting in planning and implementation for short-term installations and/or long-term care. Schedules and supervises art handlers for all aspects of art installations, exhibitions, storage and transport.
The Chief Preparator provides all technical aspects of museum-standard art handling practices for a multitude of mediums: paintings, works-on-paper, furniture, decorative arts, large scale and sculpture; related to installation/de-installation, packing, transport and storage of art objects
Works closely with the Director of Exhibitions/Associate Curator, the Collections Manager/Registrar and Vice President, Museum Affairs & Curator of Decorative Arts in planning and implementing exhibitions and collection displays
Performs detailed work using reasoning and problem-solving skills, performing multiple concurrent tasks with constant interruptions
Evaluate, recommend and facilitate appropriate storage to diverse collection of art objects
Source of knowledge for proper museum-standard art handling practices
Works closely with the Collections Manager/Registrar, to maintain location of art objects and inventory at both on-site and at off-site art storage facilities
Works closely with Museum of Art staff, to determine needs for art handling assistance, scheduling contractors and provides direct supervision of all contracted individuals during time of installation/de-installation and/or collection projects
Provides annual budget figures for exhibitions and collection projects (contract art handlers, supplies, equipment rental, etc.) and monitors budget
Assists outside exhibition specialists, museum personnel and artists that accompany traveling exhibitions installed at Cheekwood, both indoor and outdoor
Ability to, on occasion, act as a courier for art objects traveling between partner institutions, artist studios, exhibition venues, and/or conservation/restoration studios
Assists with maintaining the appearance of exhibition spaces, both in the Museum, the Frist Learning Center, the Carrel Woodland Sculpture Trail, and surrounding grounds featuring installations: lighting, dusting, cleaning plexi, sweeping, vacuuming, signage, patching and painting as well as care and cleaning of exhibit cases, plexi vitrines, platforms, and plinths
Manages the weekly maintenance and upkeep of artwork displayed on the Carrel Woodland Sculpture Trail
Working closely with the Collections Manager/Registrar, he/she oversees maintenance and upkeep of art storage areas (on-site and off-site)
Under the direction of Director of Exhibitions/Associate Curator, oversees and takes part in the building of temporary walls, dais, platforms, pedestals, and cases for exhibition and installation purposes
Build and/or construct hard and soft shipping containers, boxes, and/or crates for the safe transportation of a diverse array of art objects
Qualifications: BA/BFA College degree preferred or equivalent museum work experience; 3 to 5 years museum experience in the technical aspects of museum standard art handling practices, installation, matting and framing, storage, packing. Must be a highly responsible individual with excellent interpersonal skills, must maintain a professional demeanor, be self-motivated and show proven ability to work on complex projects as part of a team or independently. Must have a valid State of Tennessee driver’s license and adept at driving an oversized van, box truck or 24 ft. rental truck while transporting art objects throughout the region. Fully certified and adept in the safe use of forklifts, lulls, scissor lifts, boom lifts, and all manner of mechanical man lifts; requiring familiarity with standard hand signals used to safely position art objects and materials while directing an operator of a crane or any other heavy mechanical device(s). The ideal candidate will have demonstrated organizational skills; proven matting and framing skills; good verbal and written communication skills; proficient computer skills with Microsoft Office; familiarity with museum collection database systems; demonstrate knowledge of safe, basic woodworking practices; basic knowledge of art making practices, art history and conservation; basic woodworking skills for the production of pedestals, dais, transportation crates, etc. Must have the ability to safely lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds and to work at heights over eight feet with safety harness and appropriate equipment. Ability to work out of doors on a regular basis on Cheekwood property for exhibitions, installations, and routine maintenance of artwork for long periods in differing weather conditions and unscheduled overtime during periods of installation/de-installation
This is a full-time position with competitive benefits. Send your letter of interest, resume and salary requirements to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org. For more information about Cheekwood visit https://cheekwood.org EOE
The Chief Preparator is responsible for all technical aspects of museum-standard art handling related to installation, de-installation, display, and storage of art objects under the direction of Director of Exhibitions/Associate Curator and input from the Collections Manager/Registrar. The individual is a team member for exhibitions and collection projects, assisting in planning and implementation for short-term installations and/or long-term care. Schedules and supervises art handlers for all aspects of art installations, exhibitions, storage and transport.
The Chief Preparator provides all technical aspects of museum-standard art handling practices for a multitude of mediums: paintings, works-on-paper, furniture, decorative arts, large scale and sculpture; related to installation/de-installation, packing, transport and storage of art objects
Works closely with the Director of Exhibitions/Associate Curator, the Collections Manager/Registrar and Vice President, Museum Affairs & Curator of Decorative Arts in planning and implementing exhibitions and collection displays
Performs detailed work using reasoning and problem-solving skills, performing multiple concurrent tasks with constant interruptions
Evaluate, recommend and facilitate appropriate storage to diverse collection of art objects
Source of knowledge for proper museum-standard art handling practices
Works closely with the Collections Manager/Registrar, to maintain location of art objects and inventory at both on-site and at off-site art storage facilities
Works closely with Museum of Art staff, to determine needs for art handling assistance, scheduling contractors and provides direct supervision of all contracted individuals during time of installation/de-installation and/or collection projects
Provides annual budget figures for exhibitions and collection projects (contract art handlers, supplies, equipment rental, etc.) and monitors budget
Assists outside exhibition specialists, museum personnel and artists that accompany traveling exhibitions installed at Cheekwood, both indoor and outdoor
Ability to, on occasion, act as a courier for art objects traveling between partner institutions, artist studios, exhibition venues, and/or conservation/restoration studios
Assists with maintaining the appearance of exhibition spaces, both in the Museum, the Frist Learning Center, the Carrel Woodland Sculpture Trail, and surrounding grounds featuring installations: lighting, dusting, cleaning plexi, sweeping, vacuuming, signage, patching and painting as well as care and cleaning of exhibit cases, plexi vitrines, platforms, and plinths
Manages the weekly maintenance and upkeep of artwork displayed on the Carrel Woodland Sculpture Trail
Working closely with the Collections Manager/Registrar, he/she oversees maintenance and upkeep of art storage areas (on-site and off-site)
Under the direction of Director of Exhibitions/Associate Curator, oversees and takes part in the building of temporary walls, dais, platforms, pedestals, and cases for exhibition and installation purposes
Build and/or construct hard and soft shipping containers, boxes, and/or crates for the safe transportation of a diverse array of art objects
Qualifications: BA/BFA College degree preferred or equivalent museum work experience; 3 to 5 years museum experience in the technical aspects of museum standard art handling practices, installation, matting and framing, storage, packing. Must be a highly responsible individual with excellent interpersonal skills, must maintain a professional demeanor, be self-motivated and show proven ability to work on complex projects as part of a team or independently. Must have a valid State of Tennessee driver’s license and adept at driving an oversized van, box truck or 24 ft. rental truck while transporting art objects throughout the region. Fully certified and adept in the safe use of forklifts, lulls, scissor lifts, boom lifts, and all manner of mechanical man lifts; requiring familiarity with standard hand signals used to safely position art objects and materials while directing an operator of a crane or any other heavy mechanical device(s). The ideal candidate will have demonstrated organizational skills; proven matting and framing skills; good verbal and written communication skills; proficient computer skills with Microsoft Office; familiarity with museum collection database systems; demonstrate knowledge of safe, basic woodworking practices; basic knowledge of art making practices, art history and conservation; basic woodworking skills for the production of pedestals, dais, transportation crates, etc. Must have the ability to safely lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds and to work at heights over eight feet with safety harness and appropriate equipment. Ability to work out of doors on a regular basis on Cheekwood property for exhibitions, installations, and routine maintenance of artwork for long periods in differing weather conditions and unscheduled overtime during periods of installation/de-installation
This is a full-time position with competitive benefits. Send your letter of interest, resume and salary requirements to Penny Bruckse, Vice President of Human Resources at Pbruckse@cheekwood.org. For more information about Cheekwood visit https://cheekwood.org EOE